By Ramone Tarnaski

A controversial medical marijuana bill in South Carolina is heading for a likely defeat without debate in the state Senate. With debate scheduled for Tuesday, opposition to the proposal is growing among lawmakers, and some say it would not even be allowed to begin without it.

Under Senate rules, senators have the power to stop debate, but to override the move, three out of five senators would have to approve. It is unclear whether enough senators support the controversial bill, and even its supporters consider it unlikely.

Hembree said he was concerned that medical marijuana had not been approved by the FDA, and he viewed the law as a gateway to efforts to legalize recreational marijuana. He added that he did not support them either, and he was concerned about the potential impact on public health.